Crashed My Mastiff

[RichBeBe]

I crashed my Mastiff on Friday. I went to Manhattan to pick up some specialty vegetarian food items from one of our favorite stores. As I was approaching the bridge back home (Williamsburg Bridge from Delancey Street) a guy was crossing against the light. I saw him and I was braking and had room to pass him from behind, but at the last second, he jumped back and into my bike. He hit the right headlight and handlebar and brake lever. When he hit the brake lever the bike did an instant stoppie and twisted sideways launching me into the air. I was only doing maybe 20 mps but I went flying. I hit the pavement to the sound of car tires screeching and horns blaring. I did a quick assessment of myself and hopped up. All of my body parts were attached and I saw the guy I hit staggering towards the curb. I shut the bike off, picked it up and walked over to the curb. He was dazed and complaining of his back and arm hurting but was not as bad as he could have been. I took off my gloves and helmet and saw my pinkie was pretty twisted and I was sore and my wrists and arm were killing me.
Luckily for me a traffic agent saw the entire thing and reported that I had the right-of-way and the police have that on the report. The guy I hit left by ambulance and I rode myself home with no almost no clutch lever a mangled left hand.
Went to the doctor and I found out nothing is broken but my tendon ripped from the bone on my pinkie so the tip bends down at a 90 degree angle form the rest of the finger. I most likely will need surgery but I will see a hand surgeon this week to see what is going on.
The bike is not too bad but will need repairing:
Both mirrors broken
Front master cylinder perch broken
Headlight mount bent
One head light bent
Handlebars bent
One Handlebar mount bent
Three broken signals
Upper Right fairing cracked
Lefts rear side cover cracked

Well I guess I learned my lesson, never go shopping for your wife


After 15 years of street riding and over 180,000 miles (97,000 miles on one bike alone) that is the first time I ever hit the pavement. I crashed roadracing but never on the street. I guess it could have bene worse, but as a new teacher I was really looking for my first summer off and doing A LOT of riding. I bet it will take a while for my hanb to heal and I will miss most of the summer riding season.

[gedge]

Its good to see pedestrians are as bad the world over......

Dont sweat the bad finger. I busted mine the same way ( about 20 yrs ago!!)and now it just bends backwards when you press on it... Doesn't stop you riding though and after a week or so it stopped hurting...

[125SMash]

wow.
two mz crashes in the tristate area in less than a month.

glad to hear youre alright.
aside from the obvious, youre pretty lucky the traffic cop saw it.
it could have turned even uglier in this sue-happy society.

[phlat65]

glad to hear you are ok, thats pretty scary!! I would hate to hit a pedestrian, maybe a loud pipe is better......

[DEmark]

Rich< I got good news! The turnsignals are the same as a Buell Cyclone, and are available for $5 apiece at the Buell dealer. A truly incredible price. I just bought 2 for my bike after my mishap by the George Washington bridge. I'm glad you are alright! DEmark

[phlat65]

I have a set of bars.. I took all the front stuff of too... let us know what you need ok..

[RichBeBe]

Phlat,
Thanks for the offer I will take you up on some of the stuff. I will put on some better handlebars but I might see what else you have that I need. I'd rather save a few bucks and give a few to a fellow lister then to MotardNA. Luckily I can get al the stuff for cost from previous dealer connections I have so that will help.

[Brian]

I got lots of goodies off my Baggy as well If needed.......I crashed my pocket bike at full speed (31 mph) this past Friday night, I was going through this tight chicane and the engine quit (plugged filter) back end locked up and I high sided.... bike tumbled ended up upsidedown.... no major damage... I pulled some ligs in my anckle and calf.....I have a new found respect for these micro racers

[RichBeBe]

The frustrating part it is such a stupid little injury. I keep hitting my pinkie into things. I am a teacher and when writing on the blackboard I keep banging it. It really doesn't hurt, but the splint will make it almost impossible to ride. I think working the clutch would be annoying, I could commute but not have fun.
At least when I crashed at Bridgehampton (R.I.P) in 1992 I had a full leg cast, and arm cast, a collar bone brace, a broken tailbone and a broken shoulder blade. I looked like I was hurt racing a bike, not a damn busted up pinkie

[Brian]

Wow.... you are lucky, glad its just an irritant rather than a huge pain.....